Performance optimization of a cavity type concentrated solar reactor for methane dry reforming reaction with coupled optics-CFD modeling

High performance solar reactor is critical for getting high yield of solar-driven chemical conversion process. In this paper, the performance of a cavity type concentrated solar reactor for methane dry reforming reaction was investigated and optimized with coupled optics-computational fluid dynamics modeling method. The impact of critical parameters, including gas hourly space velocity, feed gases composition, catalyst loading amount, as well as heat recovery treatment, on the reaction performance of the concentrated solar reactor were discussed. It was found that: (1) Higher gas hourly space velocity would lead to lower reaction extent since the residence time of reactant is shorter and the chemical reaction locates in the limit region of intrinsic kinetics. (2) Both formation rates of H₂/CO and energy storage efficiency exhibited volcanic type curves with the ratio of CH₄/CO₂. In addition, lowering down the ratio of CH₄/CO₂ might also promote RWGS reaction, leading to the decrease of H₂/CO ratio. (3) Increasing catalyst loading as well as the utilization of heat recovery could both improve the performance of solar reactor. However, more expensive operation costs should be considered in practical applications. It is believed that the conclusions obtained in this paper would provide sufficient support for the design and optimization of concentrated solar reactors.